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Northbrook Historical Society

EIN 23-7398712 · Northbrook, IL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO DISCOVER, COLLECT, PRESERVE AND DISSEMINATE KNOWLEDGE, WHICH WILL ESTABLISH OR ILLUSTRATE THE HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK, ITS EXPLORATION, SETTLEMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS.

Income
$70,692
Spending
$74,559
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
23.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 35%
Employees
0
Volunteers
73

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $56,257 spent. TO MAINTAIN A HOUSE MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL ARCHIVES WHICH ARE STAFFED BY UNPAID VOLUNTEERS. BOTH ARE OPEN AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, FREE OF CHARGE AND TO RESEARCHERS WORLDWIDE VIA THE SOCIETYS WEBSITE. AN ONSITE CONSIGNMENT SHOP SELLS ITEMS TO THE PUBLIC AND ITEMS RELAVANT TO THE SOCIETYS MISSION. DETAILS ABOUT THE MUSEUM AND THE SOCIETY CAN BE FOUND AT : WWW.NORTHBROOKHISTORY.ORG
  2. TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC THROUGH PROGRAMS AND FESTIVALS WHICH TEACH ABOUT THE HISTORY OF NORTHBROOK. ONE PROGRAM OFFERS 2ND, 3RD OR 4TH GRADE STUDENTS FROM ALL LOCAL SCHOOLS A HALF DAY AT THE MUSEUM LEARNING ABOUT LIFE AND CHORES IN THE VILLAGE IN 1900. AN ANNUAL COMMUNITY FALL FESTIVAL, HISTORICAL PLAYS AND STORY TELLING, A CEMETERY WALK, A GARDEN WALK, VILLAGE BIRTHDAY OPEN HOUSE AND FREE COMMUNITY AND BROADER HISTORY RELATED LECTURES IN PARTHERSHIP WITH THE LIBRARY ARE OFFERED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2026.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1974.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.